Most bow hunters who
have pursued various species of big game will agree that the turkey is the most difficult
to bag consistently. But have you ever wondered what
might be the Most difficult
challenge? Which sub-species of turkey is the wariest? Under what
conditions? In other words, what is the ultimate turkey challenge?

A bow hunter who
completes a "grand slam" on wild turkeys has probably accomplished the most
difficult endeavor in bow hunting. Generally, a grand
slam is described as taking, all in a single year, one each of all four races of wild
turkeys (Eastern, Merriam's, Rio Grande, Florida). Some say it must be done in a
single spring season to count. Others contend a slam can be done over any length of
time. There is the fall slam. There are both archery and gun slams. If
a hunter is fortunate enough to bag an Ocellated and a Gould's turkey, in addition to the
four United States races, he has completed a world slam.

I believe anyone who
takes time, effort, and lots of money to bag a grand slam with bow can call himself a
slammer, no matter what time it took. Only a few bow
hunters in America have completed a grand slam on turkeys.

Can you complete a
grand slam with bow? Sure you can. Today, many
serious bow hunters are able to bag a grand slam without financial ruin, divorce or ten
years of hunting. If you decide to try for a slam, several out-of-state hunts will
generally be required. Of course, this depends on the state you live in.
Unless you have a lot of time all at once, you may want to try for no more than two races
per year. The Merriam's and Rio Grande can easily be combined on a single two-week
trip. The Eastern bird is the most common. If you are located in a state not
containing the Eastern, a short trip should put you in a state with good populations.

The Florida bird will
require a trip to southern Florida, so you may want to keep this one for last. It can
easily be the most difficult. On the other hand, spring hunting starts earliest in
Florida, so this is the state where you will get the first crack at a gobbler each
year. A good guide will be helpful in the Florida swamps.

Discover the
challenge, thrill, and great accomplishment of bagging your Grand Slam. Start planning for it now.